Hank Hughes Named UConn Defensive Coordinator

Hank Hughes has officially been named defensive coordinator at UConn — again.

He replaces Don Brown, who left for Boston College shortly after last season.

Hughes, who joined the UConn staff in 2001 as defensive line coach, was defensive coordinator from 2002-04 before spending the next six seasons as assistant head coach while maintaining his responsibilities with the line.

Hughes loses the assistant head coach title to offensive line coach George DeLeone.

UConn also confirmed that Matt Cersosimo is moving from receivers to cornerbacks while keeping recruiting-coordinator duties. Cersosimo has spent seven of his eight seasons at UConn coaching receivers.

The cornerbacks had been Brown's responsibility.

Hughes, who has a fine sense of humor, is popular with the players. Under Hughes, UConn led the Big East in total defense in each of its first two seasons in the conference. The Huskies were seventh in the nation in 2006, averaging 297.1 yards in total defense, fourth in passing defense and seventh in passing efficiency defense.

The Huskies continued its defensive success in 2004 as the team led the Big East in total and passing defense as the program headed to its first bowl and its first bowl win, a 39-10 victory over Toledo in the Motor City Bowl.

Staff Set

The coaching staff is set. T.J. Weist of Cincinnati is offensive coordinator; Kermit Buggs, a former Penn State secondary coach, is the running backs/special teams coach. He replaces Clayton White, who returned to his alma mater, North Carolina State.

On the recruiting front, the Huskies received a commitment Monday from Chasz Wright, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound offensive lineman from Virginia.